Temporal artery island flap in reconstruction of the eyelid

The temporal artery island flap, based on the anterior branch of the superficial temporal artery, was used in full thickness eyelid reconstructions of 11 patients (in four for both lids, in two for the upper lid and in five for extensive lower lid defects). The skin island was taken from the upper lateral frontal skin in front of the hairline to leave minimal scaring and create a long vascular pedicle. Mucosal or chondromucosal graft was used for the inner lining. In seven patients the arterial pedicle surrounded by a 0.5 cm wide band of subcutaneous tissue containing the corresponding veins, was tunnelled under the skin in a one stage procedure. In four cases, the pedicle was temporarily left above the skin to shorten the operating time. The temporal artery island flap is a reliable way of reconstructing both lids, or the lower lid in cases where the local flaps have been used in earlier operations. Because of the risk of bulging and for functional reasons, we do not recommend the flap for upper eyelid reconstructions.